Are Your Friends Making You Fat?

A partner for weekend runs in the park, someone to drag you to that spin class after work—friends and loved ones can be a wonderfully positive influence on your waistline. But a recent study shows they're more likely to be underminers. According to a survey conducted by Medi-Weightloss Clinics, 66 percent of female dieters feel that their friends and family may be sabotaging their weight-loss efforts. Out of the more than 300 women who participated in the survey, over half reported being pressured to eat "non-diet" foods by colleagues, friends, and family, and 35% were even teased about their meal choices. So the people who should be your biggest supporters may be derailing your efforts to be healthy.

When I first read these findings, I was admittedly a bit shocked—could it really be true that my best friend is the reason I can't zip my skinny jeans? But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I, too, am guilty of diet sabotage. I'll admit that I teased a friend who recently passed on dessert, and I've totally encouraged (ok, pushed) that third chocolate chunk cookie. It never occurred to me that these seemingly minor incidents could be causing major weight-loss roadblocks. I may still judge you if you don't join me for tiramisu, but at least next time, I'll keep it to myself.